FAQ
Common questions about peer matching.
If you don't see your question here, you can ask after creating an account.
Is this service really free?+
Yes. Malecare is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The peer mentor program is free to patients, caregivers, and mentors.
Is this a forum or social network?+
No. This is private 1-on-1 peer matching. There are no public posts, no group chats, no community feeds. The first introduction is anonymous; conversations happen between two people only.
Will I get medical advice?+
No. Peer mentors share their lived experience and emotional support. They do not diagnose, treat, or recommend medical decisions. Always speak with your healthcare team about medical questions.
Who can sign up?+
Prostate cancer patients, caregivers (partners, family, friends, support people), and people with lived experience who want to mentor.
How are mentors prepared?+
Mentors complete onboarding that includes a profile, training video, consent form, and a clear boundary statement before they become eligible to match.
How is matching done?+
We use only your structured intake answers and Malecare-set weights. Safety filters (verified email, completed onboarding, consent, training, active status, capacity) are always applied. We do not use AI matching.
What if I don't get a good match?+
If no mentor matches your filters, we'll show you which filters would open up more matches if relaxed. If you still can't be matched, you're added to a waitlist and a Malecare administrator is alerted.
Can I talk to more than one mentor?+
Not at the same time. You contact one mentor at a time, which keeps the program safe and respectful of mentor time. You can end a match and start a new one any time.
What if a mentor doesn't respond?+
If a mentor doesn't accept, decline, or respond within 48 hours, we automatically offer you the next best match. Mentors who repeatedly miss responses are temporarily paused.
How is my privacy protected?+
Your name and contact details stay private until you choose to share them. The first message is sent through an anonymous relay. Email alerts never contain health details. See the Privacy page for more.
What if something goes wrong?+
You can report a concern from your match page or your account area. We immediately pause that mentor from new matches and offer you a new match right away.